Monday, March 21, 2011

Military at Lunch, 1904 - Münsingen, Germany

Münsingen is a German town near Stuttgart. It was also the site of a German military training camp from 1895 until 2004.  Although the training camp is now closed, the barracks are still there, and you can now ride your bike around the natural areas on former training camp grounds. This photo was taken in 1904 or earlier.
I might have assumed that the gentlemen would remove their helmets for lunch, but apparently not.

The message reads:
Happy to have arrived after an unpleasant two-hour journey! Heartfelt greetings ...illegible.

 Here's a close-up of the table on the right.

The card is addressed to her Excellency Frau von Hugo, presumably the wife of Major von Hugo, the German Military Attaché to Paris. He may also have been the sender of the card.

at

10 comments:

  1. DorincardMarch 21, 2011 at 6:08 AM

    Spiked helmets command more respect than balding heads. :)
    Plus, from the standpoint of the birds, every human head is a moving target for guano...

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 21, 2011 at 6:23 AM

    Besides, you know we Germans NEVER remove our helmets!
    Heartfelt greetings,
    Susi

    ReplyDelete
  3. Alan BurnettMarch 21, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    Those helmets would come in very handy for spearing the odd roast potato on.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lisa BMarch 21, 2011 at 8:58 AM

    What a great postcard and great work on deciphering the message! The close up is a treat.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Archie TechtMarch 21, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    Are you sure this isn't a motorcycle gang having their annual picnic? Photographer did a great job placing a shrub in front of each group to obscure them, or perhaps that is actually a couple of secret service agents in disguise providing security. Susi, I think the German spelling is 'helmut' (see the movie 'A Night on Earth' to get the joke)...

    ReplyDelete
  6. JoyMarch 21, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    Maybe the matching moustaches are attached to the helmets. Fascinating card.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Postcard RoundupMarch 21, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    Boy, those are serious helmets all right. I'd sure like to see a close-up of them, as some appear to have spikes while others have a doorknob-looking thing on them!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Aimee DarsMarch 21, 2011 at 3:24 PM

    How interesting. I love how vintage postcards can make history personal.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Christine H.March 21, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    Seems to me that the spikes may have been for those of a higher rank, but I'm not sure.

    ReplyDelete
  10. TrishiaApril 7, 2011 at 5:55 PM

    I believe the helmets are to insure that no radio messages from Mars go undetected:) GREAT pic! Bushes and all. What was the photographer thinking?!!

    ReplyDelete